For six years, I’d dreamed about traveling widely there, studying it and its people through the prism of baseball, and writing a lot about it. Alas, I just can't make it happen.
Chuck—So sorry with the news that you struck out. Your love of baseball is infectious and I was looking forward to the reports from you and Mary as you reported from that big island. Not only is this a bummer for you two, but alsofor all of us who live vicariously through your love of the game.
Sad to hear, Chuck. I was one saying to myself, I wonder if Chuck needs an extra bag (equipment) guy willing to pay his own way...me! Hope the fortunes of Cuba soon turn!
I went to three games in Cuba in 2015. Two in Bayamo (Granma) and one in Havana (Industriales). (I tried to go to a game at Artemisa, but completely failed to find a bus that would take me there.)
First, Estadio America Latina in Havana is NOT a good place to watch a ball game. It was expanded piecemeal, and the result was, all of the seats are too far from the field. And, the men's toilet is a contender for the filthiest toilet on the planet.
As for Bayamo, I got to see Alfredo Despaigne hit a walkoff home run. However, I had a bad experience there with a busybody "inmigration" cop who disapproved of me taking pictures during the pre-game warmup. (I had asked permission from one of the coaches to do so.) This guy's job was to spy on tourists, and since Bayamo doesn't get many of them, he had way too much time on his hands.
Your comments about Cuba's current economic woes are, IMHO, a bit off target. Despite the US embargo, Cuba has plenty of trading partners, and more foreign tourists than they are capable of handling. The real problem is, the Cuban government is incompetent. I could go on about this at great length, but for now, I'll just say that Cuba imports 80% of its food, and 99% of its clothing. Prior to 1959, Cuba was EXPORTING large quantities of food.
If you want to read the writeups I did of the games I went to, here they are:
And just one more thing: the second article mentioned the defection of Vladimir Gutierrez. (After my bad experience in Bayamo, my reaction was, "serves them right".) He has played two seasons with the Reds, but hasn't seen any action this season due to an injury.
Hi, Bob. I envy your experiences going to those games in Cuba in 2015 — except your being hassled by the immigration cop! Couple interesting changes in baseball operations that my pal Yirsandy has told me about: 1) One of the Opening Day games this year in the National Baseball Series had an all-women umpiring crew, and 2) he says the leading sportswriter for at least half the 16 teams is a woman. Times are changing!
What a great story. Sometimes dreams come true even if we have to be patient. We should solve more of our problems through the avenues afforded by sport.
Chuck,wish you could have done this. Growing up n Dyersville, playing baseball all my life and for a rich traditional high school program, Dyersville Beckman,this would have been your triple crown.Your genuine love for people has always made me a huge fan of yours.Continued success in all you do Chuck, God bless!
Chuck—So sorry with the news that you struck out. Your love of baseball is infectious and I was looking forward to the reports from you and Mary as you reported from that big island. Not only is this a bummer for you two, but alsofor all of us who live vicariously through your love of the game.
Sad to hear, Chuck. I was one saying to myself, I wonder if Chuck needs an extra bag (equipment) guy willing to pay his own way...me! Hope the fortunes of Cuba soon turn!
Don't give up. I would have loved to travel with you.
I went to three games in Cuba in 2015. Two in Bayamo (Granma) and one in Havana (Industriales). (I tried to go to a game at Artemisa, but completely failed to find a bus that would take me there.)
First, Estadio America Latina in Havana is NOT a good place to watch a ball game. It was expanded piecemeal, and the result was, all of the seats are too far from the field. And, the men's toilet is a contender for the filthiest toilet on the planet.
As for Bayamo, I got to see Alfredo Despaigne hit a walkoff home run. However, I had a bad experience there with a busybody "inmigration" cop who disapproved of me taking pictures during the pre-game warmup. (I had asked permission from one of the coaches to do so.) This guy's job was to spy on tourists, and since Bayamo doesn't get many of them, he had way too much time on his hands.
Your comments about Cuba's current economic woes are, IMHO, a bit off target. Despite the US embargo, Cuba has plenty of trading partners, and more foreign tourists than they are capable of handling. The real problem is, the Cuban government is incompetent. I could go on about this at great length, but for now, I'll just say that Cuba imports 80% of its food, and 99% of its clothing. Prior to 1959, Cuba was EXPORTING large quantities of food.
If you want to read the writeups I did of the games I went to, here they are:
http://courtesyrunner.com/component/k2/item/183-granma-12-cazadores-de-artemisa-2
http://courtesyrunner.com/component/k2/item/184-alazanes-de-granma-6-vegueros-de-pinar-del-rio-3
http://courtesyrunner.com/component/k2/item/185-leones-azules-de-los-industriales-11-sabuesos-de-holguin-6
And just one more thing: the second article mentioned the defection of Vladimir Gutierrez. (After my bad experience in Bayamo, my reaction was, "serves them right".) He has played two seasons with the Reds, but hasn't seen any action this season due to an injury.
Hi, Bob. I envy your experiences going to those games in Cuba in 2015 — except your being hassled by the immigration cop! Couple interesting changes in baseball operations that my pal Yirsandy has told me about: 1) One of the Opening Day games this year in the National Baseball Series had an all-women umpiring crew, and 2) he says the leading sportswriter for at least half the 16 teams is a woman. Times are changing!
What a great story. Sometimes dreams come true even if we have to be patient. We should solve more of our problems through the avenues afforded by sport.
How I wish this could have happened!
Chuck,wish you could have done this. Growing up n Dyersville, playing baseball all my life and for a rich traditional high school program, Dyersville Beckman,this would have been your triple crown.Your genuine love for people has always made me a huge fan of yours.Continued success in all you do Chuck, God bless!